Best of the 2011 comic book movies so far (though that’s not a huge endorsement), this prequel revives the flagging X-Men franchise with by-the-numbers competence. While not as exhilirating or quirky as Vaughn’s last superhero flick Kick-Ass (2010), the action keeps moving, interspersed with the contrasting back-stories and philosophies of the upper-class idealist Charles Xavier/Professor X (James McAvoy) and the concentration camp survivor-realist Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto (Michael Fassbender). Goes beyond standard superhero scripts by dealing with themes of prejudice and xenophobia, and repeating the ‘smart action’ of the first flick (2000), where the mutant’s abilities are used in interesting and sometimes surprising ways.

However, the movie doesn’t quite hit the high notes that would mark a true classic – the villain is not charismatic enough (though now Kevin Bacon can reduce one degree of separation from a whole new generation of actors), the lines aren’t memorable enough, the set pieces aren’t quite breathtaking enough (though you get a sense that Vaughn really tried with the Bay of Pigs retelling).  So all-in-all, creditable, competent comic book fare.

½ (out of 5)